Hydropower Sustainability Alliance presents long-term power system plan for VMKB province to Tajikistan Government
On 9 December 2025, the Hydropower Sustainability Alliance presented a Power System Plan (PSP) 2025–2050 for VMKB province at a ministerial meeting attended by the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources of the Republic of Tajikistan, along with other relevant national ministries and agencies. The plan provides a clear roadmap for a low-carbon, climate-resilient energy future for the region, combining sustainable hydropower with the smart deployment of solar PV and pumped storage.
Now in the final stages of review, the PSP has been submitted for discussion and implementation by the Government of Tajikistan.
The landmark blueprint places hydropower sustainability at the centre of long-term energy planning and integrates two global good-practice tools – HydroSelect and the Hydropower Sustainability Standard (HSS) – as core mechanisms for guiding future investments. Together, these tools are poised to ensure that VMKB’s future hydropower development remains transparent, environmentally responsible and socially inclusive.
HydroSelect is a new tool intended for selecting hydropower sites, while the HSS is a robust assessment and certification framework that ensures accountability in hydropower development.
Amina Kadyrzhanova, Senior Sustainability Specialist at the Hydropower Sustainability Alliance, presenting the VMKB Power System Plan to the Tajikistan Government and partners.
Supported by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and prepared in partnership with Pamir Energy, the PSP is set to provide the first integrated assessment of how VMKB can meet rising electricity demand while keeping costs and impacts low. As households increasingly shift to electric heating and transport, the plan evaluates four development scenarios and identifies a combination of conventional hydropower, solar PV and pumped storage as the most sustainable and resilient pathway.
Daler Juma, Minister of Energy and Water Resources of Tajikistan, said: "The presented Power System Plan will enable us to build a long-term vision for VMKB, outlining how we can meet rising energy demand while supporting regional development, energy security and climate resilience.”
Daler Juma, Minister of Energy and Water Resources, with other Government of Tajikistan representatives at the presentation of the VMKB Power System Plan
Hydropower sustainability at the core of the PSP
HSA has worked closely with partners in Tajikistan to embed ESG safeguards, rigorous site screening and future project certification into the structure of the PSP.
This work builds on several years of collaboration. The Sebzor Hydropower Project, located in the VMKB region, was the world’s first to be certified under the HSS. The Project was implemented by Pamir Energy under financial and technical support from the German Government and the European Union through German Bank KFW.
This PSP, once implemented, will represent a global first in directly coupling long-term power planning with internationally recognised sustainability assessment tools for hydropower development.
“Tajikistan is showing the world what sustainability-led energy planning looks like,” said Alain Kilajian, Deputy Executive Director of HSA.
“HydroSelect will guide transparent, early-stage site comparisons, while the Hydropower Sustainability Standard will ensure that every future project will meet clear, credible ESG requirements. This is one of the most comprehensive applications of HSA’s tools to date, and we are proud to support Tajikistan as it charts a resilient, low-carbon future.”
The VMKB Power System Plan will now be discussed for implementation by the Government of Tajikistan
Building on 25 years of progress in VMKB
The PSP also builds on the progress made under Pamir Energy’s 25-year concession, which transformed a degraded mid-20th century energy system into one with universal access and affordable, reliable power.
Over the next 25 years, the plan aims to extend these gains by adopting a more diverse mix of technologies and locations, including new solar PV expansion, run-of-river schemes and potential pumped storage facilities.
Amrikhon Raimov, CEO of Pamir Energy, said: “The proposed plan presents a balanced and forward-looking pathway for the region. We welcome the integration of HydroSelect and the Hydropower Sustainability Standard, which together give us a clear and responsible framework for selecting, designing and delivering the right projects in the right places.
As set out in the PSP, the preferred Diversified Renewables (DIV) scenario will require further modelling of storage needs, identification of suitable hydropower and solar PV locations, and ongoing review every five years to ensure the plan remains aligned with new technologies and evolving local conditions.
